In middle school, students are at a critical stage in their linguistic development, and syntactic awareness should be a primary focus in language arts instruction. In this blog post, we'll explore what syntactic awareness is, why it's important, and how to teach it in middle school.
Read MoreStudent engagement. It's a term that's been thrown around a lot in the last decade, but let’s really breakdown what student engagement actually is. And more importantly, how can we move beyond the illusion of engagement to foster deeper thinking and learning?
Read MoreAs technology continues to advance, teachers have been able to incorporate new tools and resources into their classrooms to enhance student learning. One such tool is Chat GPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI. Chat GPT can be used in a variety of ways to help teachers and students engage in meaningful and interactive conversations.
Read MoreToday, we're going to talk about a concept that might make you feel like you're in Hollywood - storyboard your curriculum! According to Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Allison Zmuda, two leading experts in the field of education, storyboarding your curriculum can be a great way to engage your students and ensure that they're actually learning something.
Read MoreAh, the attention signal. It is a teacher’s go to classroom management tool to garner the classroom’s attention or the bane of said teacher’s existence. Here at The Teaching Distillery we are big fans of attention signals, also known as the Call and Response technique. While our attention signals vary, the method and strategies we employ are the same.
Read MoreIt is that time of year again! The time we open up our brand new teacher plan book from ban.do and begin to prepare for the up and coming school year. Aside from prepping our planners with all the fun stickers and noting all of the important dates and days off throughout the school year, we also take time for one more very important step.
Read MoreThis is an activity that we at TTD used for years in our classroom. The students LOVE it and it adds such beauty and color into an otherwise blank classroom. Below are step by step directions on how you can make one amazing activity that will brighten up your classroom with color, and make your class a place that every student feels welcome and connected.
Read MoreThe first few weeks of school can be a whirlwind of activity. You’re busy setting up procedures, going over class rules and expectations, and getting to know your students. One tried and true activity that we have had a lot of success with is what we call the Name Plate. Below are step by step directions on how you can make one amazing activity that will brighten up your classroom with color, and make your class a place that every student feels welcome and connected.
Read MoreCalling all Taylor Swift fans and educators with a flair for fun! Are you ready to turn your classroom into a powerhouse of positivity? Well, get ready to channel your inner Swiftie because we've got a brilliant idea that combines education and Taylor Swift lyrics. Brace yourselves because we have created posters that proves why using her catchy tunes as classroom decor is the ultimate secret to keeping spirits high and minds soaring!
Read MoreAs teachers, we know that change is inevitable and often brings both excitement and challenges. One of the most significant transitions teachers can face is changing grade levels or subjects. Whether you're a seasoned educator or a fresh face in the profession, navigating this transition can be both daunting and rewarding. In this blog post, we will explore valuable tips to help you successfully adapt to a new grade level or subject and make the most of this transformative experience.
Read MoreKids these days are so lucky! There so many great young adult (YA) books for them to choose from. Here are some of our favorites for social justice:
Read MoreSometimes, our students just need a break from learning, especially during the spring testing season. Here are some games that we use in our classroom, sparingly of course!
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